LUCAS'S POVIn that swift moment, I watched the president being wheeled out of the room into the theater. I rushed alongside the speeding nurses but paused before the ICU unit. I watched the theater's lights flicker red.It didn't take up to a minute before I saw the doctor who was stepping in. “Is anything wrong doc?” My voice was stern, cold. The doctor, an Asian man in a doctor uniform, stared back at me with wide doe eyes.“He had another attack.” I heard the doctor say. “And at this point it is very crucial at this point. The president's heart can not take—” I listened attentively, taking in the details and the information he was spilling but just before he could complete his speech, I heard the sound of footsteps speeding into the hallway.I stiffened, maintaining my stance. I already knew it was Xavier running down the hallway and just then, I heard the sound of his panting. I turned, staring at him from the side of my eyes. It was obvious the hospital had sent out a notificat
XAVIER'S POV When I heard the president had another attack, I had rushed out of the mansion in my car with my heart reeling. “I'll be there as soon as I can.” I said, my phone clutched tightly in my palm.I raced out of the main building, Ella and I were in the middle of a conversation when I received the call from the hospital. The nurse that had called had a shaky voice that added to my worry.I shuffled through the parking lot with Alex, my assistant, running behind me trying to catch up but I was too fast. I paused in front of one of the cars and turned to him to give me the car keys. “Are you going to be okay sir? I can call a driver to drive you to you lo—” I watched him speak as I interrupted, “Just give me the keys.”With my order, he threw the keys in my direction. I caught it, the keys making a sound as I clutched them. I pressed the button on the key and watched as the car's lights flickered. I walked over to the driver seat and pulled the door open, the clear class refle
LUCAS’S POV“We're here sir.” I heard the voice of the driver who was driving me.I turned to face him. The driver. He was dressed in an all black attire just like all of my other men. I gripped the knob to the door and twisted it as the door sprang open.I stepped out of the car and felt the soft chilling breeze that plucked greedily at me. It was windy today, I remarked. Darwin, my assistant hovered close to me as I made my way from the parking lot over to the mansion's door.It glistened under the soft rays of sunlight, clear tall glass's that chimed open and close automatically. My mind was still fixed on Xavier and that doctor, they were both hiding something— something crucial.Just as I walked past the door, I heard Darwin's voice. “After the visit with Madame Browne, you have another one—” Just as he was about completing his words, I interrupted him, “Clear my schedules tonight,I have somewhere I have to be.”I strutted past the huge living room, the maids in the mansion turni
LUCAS'S POV “Oh, let the poor maid go, darling. Besides, we both know there are more important things to get settled on.” I heard the calling voice, recognition clicking almost immediately. I gazed back into the tear filled eyes of the maid huddled up against the wall, watching as muffled gasps seeped out of her lips. I was just about to grab her by the neck when I heard her voice. Madame Browne, my pretend wife.I released a low chuckle, turning to face her slowly. My gaze caught her figure, long lustrous hair, thin figure, heavy make-up— she looked just as beautiful as the wife I'd left back home thirty two years ago. She had on a long mermaid gown that clung to her edges, her dolled up face staring back at me. It all seemed as if Madame Browne was the only thing, person rather, who was still the same as I'd left her.“Let her go!” I ordered, my voice shrill. Immediately, the lady was released, I heard the low grunts she made before scurrying alongside the other maids like she w
XAVIER'S POV After the last nurse stepped into the theater room, I watched the door close. The lights against the wall glistened red hues that sent shivers down my spine.I waited behind in the hallways waiting patiently for the feedback from the doctor. I had been sitting there for over an hour and a half now. It seemed the surgery wasn't going to finish any minute from now.My mind was filled with worries, intrusive thoughts and concerns about the president. What if he didn't make it? I shook my head softly, trying to remove the thought from my mind.Thinking negative things could only make them happen, I had to look on the bright side. For starters, the doctor had told me the president had a very strong heart that was able to withstand the last two attacks so I was sure, it would be able to withstand this one also.I ransacked my mind for other good points I could deliberate about but I found nothing— nothing but the intrusive thoughts that lingered freely in my mind. The silence
XAVIER'S POV I couldn't believe my eyes. The rage and the anger in my veins all washed away once my eyes met his. The president. He… he was alive?My jaw fell as my fingers brushed my eyes to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. The president, the same man the doctor had proclaimed dead, was standing right there, in a hospital gown on a wheelchair.I had a lot of questions bubbling up in my mind, queries surfacing as I watched him being pushed closer. The look on my face did not do enough justice to the series of emotions I had reeling in my veins.My heart skipped a beat, maybe even two. I turned my head to glare at Doctor Jiang, he wasn't shocked. He sat on his chair, tucked nearly back on the high neck swivel chair as if I hadn't pushed him against a wall some minutes ago.Slowly, I tilted my head back to see the president and confirm it all. He was still there. No, that couldn't be. Just hours ago, he was rushed into the surgery room with little chances of making it out alive and no
LUCAS'S POV I watched as the fire flickered, crackling furiously in the fireplace. The golden rays it casted brightened the room in its dimmed light. I raised my wine glass feeling the weight of her gaze on my back.Madame Browne was seated at the counter at the other end of the room, her fingers pouring white wine into a glass cup. My mind was still reeling with emotions— malice, washing through my veins. After pouring herself a topped glass of white wine, she strode out of the counter, walking in my direction. I checked the time, it was way past 10. “You can stay behind if you want.” Her voice beamed, thin layers of remorse glistening in her midnight black eyes. She hadn't changed a bit, her hair stopped just before her hips which glided, the light from the fireplace casting an exquisite silhouette of her body against the wall opposite her.I laughed, a low grunt following the few seconds of laughter that rolled out of my lips.My fingers curled against a glass of liquor. I raise
MADAME BROWNE’S POV I couldn't believe my eyes.The president was alive.Fury washed through me in waves as I gazed back at his impending figure. The president sat comfortable on a wheelchair, his gaze firm like a king surveying his kingdom. Xavier was the one pushing him around and the sight of the both of them standing there made me furious.I thought Lucas said he should be dead by now. To even think that I was actually about to start celebrating when he told me the news only to realize that it was all a lie. The president had survived the attack and as always, my plans had been ruined.I bit hard into my lower lip as I clenched my fists, the sharp pain that came from the pressing sensation of my fingernails on my palms jolting my head upright. The president had a sneer on his face as he was wheeled back into the room.His presence caused my heart to nearly skip a beat. My breaths came hitching out, ragged puffs coming out of my nostrils. I tried to contain the shock in my veins b
XAVIER'S POV I wasn't supposed to feel for her. The emotions I ended up showing crashed into me like a tidal wave. Even now, I still couldn't get myself to believe it. I was about to do it. I was about to do something I never believed would be possible.I was about to show Madame Browne sympathy. I was about to offer her the one thing she didn't offer me over the years. Sympathy. Even the thought of it I was nerving. I had to admit that. Hugging her was weird. Having her sob over my suit was weird and to say the truth, all of this was weird.Madame Browne wasn't the type of lady to cry. No. She was far different from that. She was the kind of lady who's character could be adapted into the role of a villain In a movie, a book perhaps. I was used to her being the evil person and this level of vulnerability was seemingly alarming.I couldn't bring myself to believe the one woman who single handedly made my life a living hell was about to confess to all her crimes to not just the police
THE PRESIDENT'S POV “What's the information she brought?” As Xavier said the words, my expression dimmed and I turned my gaze in Madame Browne's direction. I darted my gaze in her direction and as I caught a sight of her body frame, my face twisted into a tight frown.My jaws clenched and so did my fists. Something about all of this didn't feel right. But… I just had no choice but to believe her. Madame Browne stood at the other end of the room. Her legs were as shaky as a winter leaf and cold beads of swart clung to her forehead.Her eyes moved over to catch my gaze and as our eyes met, I tried to catch any glimpse of emotion but I found nothing. Well, nothing but the bright gleam of anticipation in her eyes. Something told me this was the beginning of a dark future. I could feel it but I just wasn't sure.Madame Browne was a trickster. It was in her nature and you never might know when she told the truth. I used to be able to read through all her tactics but this time around, it w
XAVIER'S POV I woke up to the soft warmth of Ella’s body curled against mine. For a rare moment, I allowed myself to enjoy the peace. The curve of her body against mine, the way her breathing remained steady—it filled me with calmness. But duty never slept, and neither could I.For a fleeting moment, time seemed to slow, allowing me to simply exist in the tranquillity of her presence. The delicate scent of her lavender shampoo clung to her dark hair, a familiar and soothing aroma that filled my senses. I almost didn't want to get up from her side, knowing she might be the only semblance of calmness in my life today, but I had to.Placing a kiss on her hair, I carefully untangled myself from her and slid out of bed. I headed to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and took my bathI was adjusting my tie in the mirror when a soft but firm knock sounded on the door. adjusted my tie in the mirror Who could it be so early in the morning?I padded towards the door, my feet silent on the lush
LUCAS'S POV The neon glow of the city cast long shadows as I watched her disappear into the night. My cigarette burned between my fingers, smoke curling into the air like ghosts of the past. I didn’t move until she was completely out of sight. Only then did I snap my fingers as a signal.A huge tall figure emerged from the darkness, stepping under the pale streetlight. Matteo. He had been an old soldier from back when I was still young —one of the few old ones still breathing. He wasn’t a man of many words, but he was very useful.He was my eyes on the streets, my major source of information, and not for once had he ever been wrong.“Who’s running things now?” I asked, exhaling smoke as I observed his expression.Matteo’s face was lined with years of bloodshed, his dark eyes unreadable. “No one knows, boss. There's a man—he’s got a scorpion tattoo inked onto the back of his hand. Rumours have it that he might be the one.”That gave me pause. "A scorpion?"He nodded once. "We haven’t
MADAME BROWNE'S POV I sat before the gilded vanity in my dimly lit room, carefully applying a shade of crimson to my lips. The reflection staring back at me exuded power, cruelty—a woman who had long since abandoned the silly notions of weakness and kindness. Those were for fools and children. They were nothing more than shackles meant to hold me back, and I had no use for them anymore. It was a dog-eat-dog world, and I refused to be left behind.My eyes gleamed with satisfaction as I traced the outline of my lips, the colour rich like freshly spilt blood. It was fitting. Blood had been spilt before, and more would be spilt againThe world had always been my chessboard, and I had played and would continue to play my pieces well.The soft ring of my phone interrupted my musings and brought me out of my thoughts. I reached for it almost lazily, fully expecting it to be another one of my pathetic underlings grovelling for my attention. But I was surprised as I saw the name flashing on
LUCAS'S POV1 DAY AGO.When the car arrived at the front of my crib which was located deep inside an undeveloped area. I made sure it was unnoticeable. From the outside view, any random stranger would think it was some abandoned building when really it held secrets as dark as night itself.As I stepped out of the car, my men hovered beside me. When we got to the gate, the security guards who were standing at alert confirmed my identity and opened the gate for me to enter. I stepped into the compound and headed directly for the door.I made slow, casual strides towards it and as I finally approached it, I snapped my fingers and my men opened it for me. The door chimed open and I stepped into the soft scent of cherries in the air.I already knew where it was coming from.I darted my gaze in the direction of a lady standing on top of the stage with her body clinging seductively to the stripping pole. The other stripers continued dancing. I was the one who gave them that order. Even when
LUCAS'S POV 1 DAY AGO.“Is the ride ready?” I asked with a calm voice and my assistant flashed me a glance before he beamed, “Yes sir.”“Alright officer, I'll see you soon if you dare spill anything. Claim i broke out of the cell.” I ordered and got up from my chair and paced towards the door.When I got close enough, I grabbed the doorknob and pushed it open. It made a low chime as I stepped out into the hallway and without closing the door, I headed towards the door at the end of the floor. The D.P.O revealed the emergency exit that wasn't guarded to me and I was going to take that path.When I got to the other end of the door, I paused in my tracks and turned to one of my guards who rushed towards the door and opened it. The room I stepped in reeked of odor. It seemed like it hadn't been opened in a long while. I shifted my gaze to one of my men and ordered him, “Go check what's going on in there?”The guard stepped forward and took gentle strides into the room. I waited until he
LUCAS'S POV1 DAY AGOAfter making the call, I waited for a minute before I received another call from my men. They had arrived at the back gate of police station and were waiting patiently for my go ahead. “I don't want a loud hit. I want something low and coded.” I said into the speaker. “What about the people that are going to be ensuring the DPO gets the message clearly?”“They are here boss. We'll make sure he gets the message clearly.” I waited for a while before I thought about it for a while and snapped. “You know what? I'll do it myself.” “Get into his office, beat the hell out of him and then call for me. I'll do the confrontation myself.” I turned out and I heard a corresponding hum from the other end of the phone as I ended the call and turned my gaze back to the sight of the inmates in the room.They were all 3.Each of them had unruly mops of hair on their head, red eyes, shaky breath and a staggering stance. In short, they reeked of poverty, remorse, regret and fear.
President’s PovAT THE MCKINNEY MANSION I watched as my family sat down for breakfast, Madame Brown fussing each and every one of them.“Ivy, darling, do you like your pancakes?” She asked my great- granddaughter.The innocent girl beamed at her. “Yes, I do. Thank you.”“You're welcome, dear. I'll make more for you if you ask me, okay?”Ivy nodded, her smile shy. “Thank you.”The scent of freshly cooked food filled the dining room and teased my nose, but I barely glanced at the spread before me. Madame Browne had taken her seat near me, her hands clasped together, a soft but expectant look on her face. The dishes were warm, inviting, but my stomach twisted at the thought of eating it.I wasn't trustful enough of her to eat from what she had cooked.I made a pretence of drinking from a glass of juice before lowering it back down onto the table. I cleared my throat, picking up my walking stick. “Are you not eating, Grandfather?” Xavier asked and I smiled at him.He was ready dresses f